"REDCAP IN FAIRYLAND"

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 230, 23 June 1919, Page 8

"REDCAP IN FAIRYLAND"

$ . A FAIE.Y PLAY FOR CHILDREN. The fund that.is being built up for tho erection of a memorial hall for tho Wellington Central Mission should benefit substantially as the result of the performance on Saturday evening at the flrand Opera Houso of tho fairy piny "Redcap in Fairyland." Somo fifty or sixty children participated in the play, which embodied the experiences of Redcap in the mazy delights of a somewhat barren fairylitnd. There tho straying Redcap meets the fairies of her dream, headed by the Queen, and they, tccor- . nising in Redcap one who believes in them with all her soul, contrive to giveher a happy time. In this manner thero is provided for the delectation of Redcnp interludes of fairy sport, which consists of songs, dances, marches, and fairy frames of nil kind. Considering tho are of the producers. Miss AVinifred Churchill and Miss Mnncie Wintered, the performance was entertaining enouijli to the.unsophisticated in theso matters. The tinted and bespangled frooks of the little girls ns they flitted about in fairy form were exceedingly pretty, but there wns little attempt at stage setting, and the subtle art of make-up whs wnnting. The role of Redeup was assumed by Doris Knowles Smith, who spoke her lines with pedantic clarity. It was regrettalilo that sho had, inn, to speak the lines of her songs, which can only be done effectively by the skilled dismise. Dorolby Russell, Hlessod with a strong, tuneful soprano, nlnyed tho Fniry Queen. nnd hnr solo in the first act "Fairyland" ■was one of the best in tho play. Features in this or.t were iho artless "Pas dp Sen!" of Gladys Miller, tho march of the brownies and elves—quite cleverly arranged—nnd the dainty nirouettc dance of tiny Elva Harris fn the second half, Winifred Churchill executed a toe dance, Miss Dorothy M'Millon piui.t "Firelight .Fancies." siiul Dorothy Roberts "Chin Chin China"; Mr. IT. Gray pang "Prissmg Hours." nnd little Elva. Harris flittered blithsAinely in n "Moonbeam" dance. Au orchestra, iindeu the direction of Mrs. M'Lcod, "provided tho necessary music.